You can tell that the GOP thinks Northam is going to be tough to beat when they’re making this hard an embrace of blatant racism. I also wonder if Gillespie is seeing a little base erosion or ambivalence because he wasn’t the choice of the Trumper racists and the guy they voted for (who is going to run against Kaine next year) is all over TV supporting and defending Trump while he tries to have it both ways.
If you read the PPP poll, even a majority of Republicans want the statutes moved out of the public sphere and into museums. Northam has a very reasonable response here.
Gillespie, like a lot of Republicans, says a prayer each morning that the bonkers grandpa will keep quiet. Sorry, pal, life just isn’t fair sometimes - ask Merrick Garland.
Bad move by Northam considering where he’s running. Calling for the removal of statues is a losing issue for Dems. Go back to talking about healthcare and SS/Medicare!
In more states than just Virginia.
“I believe that decisions about historical statues are best made at the local level, but they should stay and be placed in historical context,” Gillespie said last week.
I’ve come to the conclusion that that all those monument statues should be melted down and recast to show the various Generals’ faces when they had to acknowledge the Union victory. Perhaps stoicly signing capitulation documents? There’s your historical context.
If asked state your beliefs, and be sure to answer with something along the lines of “I don’t personally believe that glorifying treason against our United States is worthy of memorialzing.” And move on.
While I wouldn’t say that talking about these advertisements for racism and terror is a winning argument, it’s something that certain Dems are going to have to address whether they like it or not. Best to get used to it now.
Well I live in Virginia and I think you are wrong
All polls show Northam beating Gillespie by 4 to 6 points and the Republican party is split
Note this is from Redstate
That’s a good point. Even if certain Dem pols don’t want to deal with this issue at all, if nothing else, it’s a good wedge issue for some places. (For others, not at all.) But for those places where we can exploit the animosity, we should.
Ralph Northam is a standup guy, he has really improved as a speaker and he doesn’t take crap, so think he is ready for the garbage that is coming and will continue to come his way. I live in Va. and find this attack kind of amazing. Does Va. GOP stand for the heritage of slavery? That how it seems to me.
It can be addressed by leaving the Democratic Party. Tell me how this brings 'em back into the fold in Wisconsin,Michigan.PA,FLA,OH,NC. Tell me how it doesn’t lose Dem voters in VA.
Do you really have that much faith in polls after 2016?
I absolutely agree. I’m a Virginian, as well, and this state is fairly purple. We have some crazies here, but we’re not the “Old South” like we once were.
THere are some states that will fight to the death for these statues and I think that Dem pols in those areas should read the “temperature” to gauge just how hot they can stand the issue to get (e.g., Bill Nelson in FL).
Now, regarding the midwest states, I don’t think the issue is nearly as toxic as it could potentially be in VA. Even there, I think Northam can handle the issue. Besides, even if it is a potential mine field, it’s not going to matter. Politics isn’t always about what we want it to be about; it’s about what the constituents or the media want to talk about. It’s here; we need to get a grip on it now. The one thing that really shouldn’t happen is to be caught on the backfoot on the subject.
well, conservatives are finally acknowledging the confederacy was really about slavery. so i guess that’s progress…?
The cling wrap is strong with the VA GOP.
Actually, they’re not acknowledging that it was really about slavery. They’re saying that the statues are about their “heritage”, White heritage, and that’s the reason they should continue to stand.
I disagree. When I’ve asked “Where does it end?”,I’ve been told that I can’t go there because it’s a “slippery slope”. Bullshiite! We’ve been told “They belong in museums and cemeteries.” but we already know that’s bullshiite too. Cemeteries are already being vandalized. It isn’t about racism or slavery. It’s our way or else politics. And it’s not gonna end soon. There will be more violence and vandalism. It’s turned into mob action already.
And what would you do with the statues? They are asked constantly about this issue here in VA.